Abstract
Background: Starting university is a key life transition, and a potential source of psychological distress in first year university students. Those who manage the university transition effectively report high levels of optimism, hope, self-efficacy, emotional intelligence and self-regulation.
Methodology: This study evaluated the effect of an app-based multi-component positive psychology intervention (MPPI) delivered to undergraduates within the first semester of university. Ninety-two first year university students were randomly allocated to an app-based MPPI (n = 46) or an active control journaling condition (n = 46) for six weeks.
Results: The MPPI condition reported significant increases in life satisfaction after three and six weeks of the intervention; plus, significant increases in positive affect and self-efficacy, and decreases in negative affect after six weeks.
Discussion: The effect of exercise dosage and follow-up period is reviewed. The differential effects of the varied psychological intervention are considered in the light of the Synergistic Change Model.
Conclusions: App-based MPPIs are presented as a scalable cost-effective approach to supporting student transition to university.
Methodology: This study evaluated the effect of an app-based multi-component positive psychology intervention (MPPI) delivered to undergraduates within the first semester of university. Ninety-two first year university students were randomly allocated to an app-based MPPI (n = 46) or an active control journaling condition (n = 46) for six weeks.
Results: The MPPI condition reported significant increases in life satisfaction after three and six weeks of the intervention; plus, significant increases in positive affect and self-efficacy, and decreases in negative affect after six weeks.
Discussion: The effect of exercise dosage and follow-up period is reviewed. The differential effects of the varied psychological intervention are considered in the light of the Synergistic Change Model.
Conclusions: App-based MPPIs are presented as a scalable cost-effective approach to supporting student transition to university.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Article number | 6 |
| Pages (from-to) | 1-16 |
| Number of pages | 16 |
| Journal | European Journal of Applied Positive Psychology (EJAPP) |
| Volume | 6 |
| Publication status | Published - 16 Sept 2022 |
Keywords
- positive psychology
- app-based interventions
- student wellbeing
- mental health promotion
- self-efficacy
- subjective wellbeing